Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza With Vaccines

AAFP Urges Diligence During 2014-15
Influenza Season

A letter from the CDC, in partnership with the AAFP and other organizations, offers key points to consider about the importance of flu vaccination and prompt treatment for flu, particularly in high risk patients.

Influenza Prevention Recommendations

AAFP Urges Diligence During 2014-15
Influenza Season

A letter from the CDC, in partnership with the AAFP and other organizations, offers key points to consider about the importance of flu vaccination and prompt treatment for flu, particularly in high risk patients.

Influenza Prevention Recommendations

Influenza Prevention in Pregnant Women

Read a letter issued by the Department of Health and Human Services in conjunction with the AAFP and other organizations urging health care providers to recommend that pregnant and postpartum women receive the influenza vaccine.

The AAFP recommends that physicians offer influenza vaccination as soon as it becomes available each year and continue to provide the vaccine throughout the flu season (i.e., as long as influenza viruses are circulating in the community).

The AAFP recommends, when immediately available, the preferential use of live attenuated vaccine (LAIV) in healthy children aged 2 through 8 years who have no contraindications or precautions(www.cdc.gov). If LAIV is not immediately available, vaccination should not be delayed, and inactivated influenza vaccine should be used.

Additional Recommendations

Recommendations for Use of Pneumococcal Vaccine

The ACIP recommends that all persons receive a dose of pneumococcal vaccine when or after they reach age 65. The pneumococcal vaccine is an once-in-a-lifetime vaccine after age 65 that can be given along with the influenza vaccine, during the same appointment.

For Pregnant Women

The influenza vaccine is the first step to prevent the flu, and your recommendation can make a difference. Consider the following points in discussions with patients:

Pregnant women should receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. The risk of severe illnesses related to the flu is higher in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant.

The influenza vaccine protects the mother and her infant from influenza-related illnesses, hospitalization, and premature labor and delivery.

The influenza vaccine is safe for pregnant women in any trimester. The vaccine has been given to millions of pregnant women in the last decade and has not been shown to cause harm to women or their infants.

It is safe for postpartum women to get the influenza vaccine (flu shot or nasal spray), even if they are breastfeeding.

Antivirus drugs are recommended for pregnant women who get the flu. Antivirus drugs can shorten the length of illness by 1 or 2 days, and can prevent flu complications, such as pneumonia.

For Persons With Egg Allergy

Trivalent recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV3) is considered egg-free and may be given to persons aged 18 through 49 years who have no other contraindications.

Persons who have experienced only hives after exposure to egg should receive the influenza vaccine, either with RIV3 or inactivated vaccines. If the inactivated vaccine is used, the vaccine should be administered by health care providers familiar with the potential signs and symptoms of egg allergy, and the patient should be observed for ≥ 30 minutes after vaccine administration. Persons who have had angioedema, respiratory distress, lightheadedness, recurrent emesis, or have required emergency medical intervention after exposure to egg may receive RIV3 if they are aged 18 through 49 years without contraindications. If RIV3 is not available, or the patient is not eligible for RIV3, inactivated influenza vaccine should be administered by a physician with experience in the recognition and management of severe allergic reactions. For more information, view the 2014-2015 ACIP Recommendations Regarding Influenza Vaccination of Persons Who Report Allergy to Eggs(www.cdc.gov).

AAFP Recommendations on Immunizations

Recommendations for Use of Pneumococcal Vaccine

The ACIP recommends that all persons receive a dose of pneumococcal vaccine when or after they reach age 65. The pneumococcal vaccine is an once-in-a-lifetime vaccine after age 65 that can be given along with the influenza vaccine, during the same appointment.